Tuttle’s decision was announced in a program news release Monday, handing coach Tom Allen a signing-week boost before the letters of intent start arriving Wednesday.

"Jack Tuttle is a tremendous addition to our program and we are happy to welcome him to IU," Allen said in a news release. "He is extremely talented and brings a huge skillset to our quarterback room. We look forward to his arrival on campus next semester and his development as a Hoosier."

Were he a commitment out of high school, Tuttle would be the highest-rated signal caller to pick the Hoosiers in the recruiting rankings era. He was, according to the 247Sports Composite, the No. 167 player in the 2018 class, and the No. 8 quarterback.

In-house rankings slotted Tuttle the No. 4 pro-style quarterback according to Rivals, and the No. 5 pro-style QB according to 247Sports. He won multiple player-of-the-year honors in the San Diego area, where the 6-4, 207-pound quarterback played for San Marcos (Calif.) Mission Hills.

"He can make the throws," said Mission Hills coach Chris Hauser, "and when I say the throws, I mean all the throws."

Hauser said Mission Hills isn't always a pass-heavy, no-huddle team by design, but that the Grizzlies "leaned on" Tuttle as both a quarterback and leader.

"The preparation to get ready for every Saturday, it’s off the charts," Hauser said. "He gets guys to rally with him. He’s not necessarily going to go, 'You need to follow me.' He just leads by his process. He leads with a smile. He leads by being a good person. And I think his new teammates are really going to gravitate toward that."

Tuttle shouldered that responsibility as a high school senior, passing for 3,452 yards, 42 touchdowns and just four interceptions, while completing more than 67 percent of his 336 passes, according to Hauser.

With Tuttle behind center, Mission Hills finished 12-1 in his senior season, losing only in the San Diego section open division title game. He was named San Diego section player of the year, and won the Silver Pigskin Award, presented to San Diego County's most outstanding high school football player, per IU's release.

"The level he played at here, he was facing great competition all the time," Hauser said.

Tuttle picked Utah over offers from Wisconsin, Alabama, Southern Cal, LSU, Nebraska and several other Power Five programs. He participated in Elite 11, the top-shelf quarterback competition held annually for high school players. And now, he gives Indiana a third player at the sport's most important position, alongside returning starter Peyton Ramsey and promising redshirt freshman (and classmate) Michael Penix.

Tuttle enrolled at Utah last January before leaving the team in October, per a report from the Salt Lake Tribune. It's not yet clear whether Tuttle, who did not throw a pass for Utah last season, will be immediately eligible.

He will join an intriguing quarterback room in Bloomington.

Incumbent starter Ramsey, scheduled to be a redshirt junior next season, finishing third in the Big Ten in 2018 with 2,875 yards passing. He also threw for 19 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions. But Indiana's offense as a whole struggled with consistency and explosiveness, and Allen has promised an in-depth examination of that side of the ball this offseason.

Tuttle could also be competing with an early enrollee from the 2018 class, Michael Penix, who flashed a powerful left arm this fall before tearing his ACL against Penn State in late October.

Hauser said he believes Tuttle will understand the respect his new position mates already command in IU's locker room, and that Tuttle himself will have to work to earn the same. But he doesn't think his former pupil will back away from the competition either.

"I think Jack will respect that," Hauser said. "He’s going to come in and I’m sure he’s going to say to the guys, 'I’m here to help Indiana win.' But at the same time, he’s going to want (to play)."

Tuttle was born in Indianapolis. His father, Jay, was a walk-on kicker with the Hoosiers (1986-89) and his mother, Kathy, is an Indiana State University graduate.